Cleveland Golf is unique among the major golf companies in that it has a couple very distinct identities in consumers’ minds. First, and probably most notable in terms of history, is their presence as a high-performance, Tour level wedge company. However, in recent years the company has also built a strong following as an “everyman’s” golf brand, offering a full line of clubs designed to make the game easier. These clubs, thanks to their performance and some clever marketing, have even found appeal with an increasingly young target audience, which is new territory for Cleveland. The 2024’s Launcher XL and Halo XL lines are a great example of this, both offering maximum forgiveness and playability at reasonable prices.
Still, there was an opportunity to reach another golfer; one that wants forgiveness, but in a sleeker and more refined looking package. While 2021’s Launcher XL irons got close to this, there was some definite room for improvement, which has culminated in the all new ZipCore XL irons. At an incredibly attractive price point of $899 for a 4-PW set, these irons provide a much cleaner look than anything we’ve seen from Cleveland in a long time, and they still have a number of innovations designed to make them easy to use.
Key Technologies
We love that companies have recognized the inherent differences between long/mid irons and scoring irons and are building each type differently within a set. The ZipCore XL are a great example of this design philosophy in action.
ZipCore
By now, most of us should be familiar with ZipCore. It’s been a huge success for Cleveland in their wedge line, most recently in the RTX 6. The company saw that success and felt it could easily progress into their irons, specifically from 8 iron and above, where we are looking for the most accuracy. The premise is simple to understand, Cleveland has removed material from the heel/hosel area of the club, replaced it with a low-density core, and moved the center of gravity into a more optimal position in the club head. This all translates to better consistency, feel, and forgiveness, all vital qualities we seek in our scoring irons.
MainFrame
Now, accuracy matters with any iron, but there is a definite shift in expectations and needs when we have a 5, 6, or even 7 iron in hand. If we’re being perfectly honest, most of us (that would gravitate towards an iron like the ZipCore XL) are just hoping to make solid contact and hit the ball the right distance in the general direction we are aiming.
To increase the chances of this happening, the AI-tweaked MainFrame uses a “variable network of grooves, channels, and cavities milled into the backside of the club face” to let the face flex as much as possible, creating the highest possible ball speeds. In addition, weight pads place more mass low and deep, which boosts MOI and positions the center-of-gravity where it can provide the most forgiveness.
HydraZip
Cleveland has utilized progressive groove patterns in the past, and they are doing that again with the ZipCore XL line, but they’ve added an exciting addition in the form of HydraZip. HydraZip, which we saw introduced on 2023’s RTX 6 wedges, is a face blasting and laser milling process that enhances surface friction for more consistent spin performance, especially in wet conditions. It’s important to note that the term “wet conditions” doesn’t necessarily mean rain. Whether it’s early morning dew, a mid-day irrigation cycle, or just damp grass, water can have a huge impact on spin. While it almost seems too good to be true, our evaluation of HydraZip on wedges was nothing short of amazing.
XL Head Design
Cleveland’s use of “XL” with ZipCore irons is an interesting thing. On one hand, you have an oversized iron that exhibits all the visual qualities that bring forgiveness and distance to mind. On the other hand, they really aren’t that large and are definitely not clunky looking in hand. Our point here is that you shouldn’t let “XL” scare you away if you like a streamlined game improvement iron. Rather, you should know that the heads have been individually shaped in a way that allows peak performance. The cavity, while substantial, is concealed nicely, and there isn’t a ton of overhang at address with the long irons. If we were forced to generalize the shaping of the ZipCore XL irons, we’d say that they have a slightly longer blade length, most evident in the longer irons, and the short irons provide a good amount of vertical real estate. The topline and offset are extremely reasonable for an iron like this and should appeal to almost anybody that finds themself shopping in this category.
V Shaped Sole and Action Mass CB
A pair of carryover technologies round out the ZipCore XL’s set of features. Action Mass CB is Cleveland’s counterweight system that consists of an 8 gram weight under the grip that is designed to encourage a more stable backswing and make it easier to drop the club inside with a square face. It should be noted that Cleveland offers an “accuracy build” option as well, which comes with ½” shorter shafts and no counterweight.
Seeing Cleveland add the V Shaped Sole, a staple of the Srixon brand, to the ZipCore XL irons was a pleasant surprise. This proven technology is designed to offer superior turf interaction and is a perennial favorite with consumers.
What Sets ZipCore XL Apart?
Since we mentioned the V Sole, it’s worth bringing up a point. If you’re a gear nerd, you probably already know that Cleveland and Srixon Golf are sister companies, and Srixon released a full line of irons in 2023, ranging from blades to hollow bodies. Because of that fact, it’s important to consider where the ZipCore XL’s fit under the larger Dunlop umbrella. The ZipCore XL irons do share some technologies with Srixon’s ZX4 MKII irons, but they are also distinctly different in other ways. While it is our opinion that a golfer that is comfortable with one of these irons would also find comfort in the other, they are not the same.
To start, the ZipCore XL irons retain more of a typical Cleveland shape than the more squared-off Srixon lines. In addition, though it’s slight, ZipCore XL are a bit larger, especially when it comes to blade length. We are talking millimeters here, but it’s a noticeable difference when you hold both irons in hand. Finally, while the $1,199 ZX4 MK II are hollow body irons with a forged face, the ZipCore XL are cast cavity back irons priced at $899.
These two irons, though in the same general family, feel different, look different, and ultimately perform somewhat differently. We can’t say which is “better” but can say that having these two options available to meet a variety of preferences, whether based on looks, performance, or budget, is a great benefit to consumers.
Looks, Feel, and Performance
Aside from a couple small bits of polished chrome on the cavity side, the ZipCore XL irons are finished in a low-glare satin finish. The cavity itself, while not completely minimalist in nature, is as clean as we’ve seen from Cleveland since 2013’s 588 MT and 588 TT sets. However, while those two irons bordered on boring, the ZipCore cavity is modern and youthful. We might as well just say it, because we aren’t the only ones thinking it. This is the best looking game improvement iron Cleveland has ever made. Argue if you’d like but know you’re just wasting your time.
We’ve already discussed the blade length but haven’t touched much on some of the other aspects of the ZipCore’s XL iron’s looks. Starting at the topline, we see a pleasant middle of the road thickness that doesn’t require any beveling or masking to appear more attractive. The amount of offset can be characterized as moderate, though it’s on the lower end for irons of this type. The slightly more compact ZX4 MK II irons have almost identical offset measurements throughout the set, with certain irons in the ZipCore XL set actually having a fraction less. The V Shaped Sole is also very much in the middle ground between thin and wide, again almost identical to the ZX4 sole’s width.
Feel is an aspect that will set the ZipCore XL irons apart in today’s market, mostly because they have a cavity back instead of being hollow body. Even with the various inserts, foams, and plastics, hollow body irons do have a certain feel. Some people love the sound of a good hollow body and its powerful feel at impact, while others find it less enjoyable. If you’re in the latter group, or can appreciate both, you should enjoy what the ZipCore XL’s have to offer. The combination of the cavity back and ZipCore weight manipulation gives this iron set a more muted, dare I say “soft”, feel at impact. This all depends on impact position of course, as the sounds from toe and heel impacts sharpen up quickly, but the middle of the face is very nice.
Regarding performance, which was tested both indoors and outdoors, it’s difficult to find the right words. We didn’t see anything worthy of hyperbolic phrases or exclamations, but rather saw just what we’d want or expect to see from irons of this type. Even with the 110g KBS Tour Lite, which are probably a little heavier than we personally prefer, distance was certainly on par with other irons we’ve tested in class. If we’re going to offer any comparisons, against the ZX4 MK II for example, we saw similar speeds, slightly lower launch and slightly higher spin. Slightly is the key word here.
Before getting too wrapped up in the numbers below, please keep a few things in mind. Indoor swings tend to produce a little lower spin, and the swing that created these numbers generally produces lower-than-average spin to begin with. In other words, don’t let the spin numbers freak you out. We all have our swing faults, and mine tend to result in less spin than most people produce. These ball speed, height, and distance numbers were great for winter, comparatively speaking, and something we’d be glad to play any day of the week. Outdoor performance backed up the indoor results, with the V Sole performing very well in soft, gross winter conditions.
| Club Speed | Ball Speed | Launch Angle | Spin | Carry | Height | |
| 7 iron | 79 | 108 mph | 19 | 4422 | 153 y | 25 y |
| 9 iron | 76 | 101 mph | 19 | 6920 | 132 y | 24 y |
Specifications and Details
Cleveland’s ZipCore XL’s are offered with two stock shaft options, 110g KBS Tour Lite in steel and 65g UST Mamiya Helium Nanocore in graphite. The stock grip is a Lamkin Crossline 360, and as mentioned earlier, the set can be ordered in the “Accuracy Build”, where the shaft is slightly shorter and there is no counterweighting under the grip.
This set is available in 4 iron through SW, though the core set will consist of seven clubs at $899 with steel shafts and $999 with graphite. The ZipCore XL iron set will be available starting January 19, 2024. Custom order options are also available, with a variety of no-upcharge and premium shafts that can be viewed at us.dunlopsports.com/cleveland-golf.
